Talk to Lawyer
Mark Kopec Now
Mark Kopec Now
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Why Is Calling The Kopec Law Firm Different?
The Kopec Law Firm is The 100% medical malpractice law firm in Baltimore. When you call, you will talk directly with attorney Mark Kopec. He is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. We won’t hand you off to an assistant who did not go to law school, like at other firms. Instead, attorney Kopec will use his 30+ years of legal experience to help you. Other lawyers spend much time on car accidents, work injuries, and other injury claims. However, lawyer Kopec specializes in medical malpractice and dedicates 100% of his time to it.
Attorney Kopec has obtained numerous multi-million-dollar results, and satisfied clients have repeatedly left excellent reviews. He will give you a free consultation. You will also find on this website all of the resources in one place that you will need for your case. These resources cannot be found anywhere else.
When You Call Your Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Lawyer Mark will listen to you, answer your questions, and review the 3 Steps to getting you justice.
1: The Call
- Explain medical malpractice.
- Gather relevant information.
- Answer your questions.
- Give you advice.
2: The Investigation
- Get medical records.
- Review and analyze all information.
- Obtain required independent doctor support for the case.
3: Money Compensation
- File your case in court.
- Conduct all case proceedings.
- Pursue money for your injuries and financial losses.
Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer Mark Kopec understands the toll medical malpractice takes on its victims. Kopec Law Firm clients often have permanent pain and limitations that they didn’t have before. They may be unable to work and can face massive medical bills. They may need assistance with activities of daily living. It affects the whole family. At a time when you are trying to put the pieces back together, Attorney Kopec will give you the advice you need and formulate the plan for your case.
The medical malpractice page describes the investigation and court processes for a Baltimore medical malpractice case in more detail. Please also visit our Maryland Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog for regular new content and in-depth discussions of various aspects of Maryland medical malpractice cases.
Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Practice Areas
Medical malpractice can occur in many different treatment settings. Below is a listing of some of the areas of medical malpractice that clients call the Kopec Law Firm about regularly:
Surgical Errors
Any surgery or procedure that fails to meet professional standards and causes injury can be a surgical error that is medical malpractice. It can occur in a hospital, a surgical center, or a doctor’s office. A bad outcome that is a known risk of the procedure may not be malpractice. Further examination of professional standards and risks may be needed.
Misdiagnosis
Misdiagnosis occurs when there is a failure to make a diagnosis that a reasonably competent medical professional in the same or similar position should have made and injury results. As a result, the patient is in a much worse condition. Misdiagnosis can be making the wrong diagnosis or delaying the correct diagnosis.
Wrongful Death
If the patient dies, then any medical malpractice can result in a wrongful death claim. If the malpractice did not cause the patient’s death, then it is not wrongful death. The law of each state provides which family members are entitled to bring a claim. In Maryland, the primary beneficiaries of a wrongful death claim are the spouse, the parents, and the children of the deceased.
Birth Injury
A birth injury can result from failing to meet professional standards during labor and delivery. It can also occur during prenatal care. It often involves failing to deliver a baby in distress urgently. A birth injury can also happen when there is a failure to prolong a pregnancy and avoid a premature birth. As a result, both circumstances can result in birth injuries such as hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and cerebral palsy.
Emergency Room (ER)
The emergency room often deals with urgent and life-threatening conditions. A doctor sometimes misses the correct diagnosis and tells the patient to go home without receiving the needed care. If the doctor fails to make an accurate diagnosis, then the doctor will not give timely, appropriate treatment. Afterward, significant injury and death can result.
The following are some of the Frequently Asked Questions that the Kopec Law Firm answers:
FAQs to the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer
What are the Legal Fees of a Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
Unlike law firms in other legal specialties, the Kopec Law Firm always gives you a free consultation. This can be done by phone, and you will speak directly with attorney Mark Kopec. In less than 20 minutes, attorney Kopec can usually tell you if you have a medical malpractice case we can investigate.
Other legal specialties require upfront deposits and ongoing payments during the case. At the Kopec Law Firm, we handle your Baltimore medical malpractice case on a contingency fee. As a result, there are no fees or expenses until we get money for you.
What Damages Can I Get from a Baltimore Medical Malpractice Case?
The victim of Baltimore medical malpractice can get money for the pain and suffering caused by the injuries. These damages are non-economic, and Maryland has a cap that adjusts annually. You can claim past and future medical bills to treat the injuries. Victims also can obtain past and future lost wages. If the victim of the medical malpractice died, then the victim’s estate can pursue the damages.
In Maryland, if the malpractice resulted in the death of your spouse, parent, or child, then you can bring a wrongful death claim. You get money for non-economic damages including the emotional pain and suffering, and loss of companionship and care. Claimants can also claim economic damages for any financial support you depended on from the person who died.
If there is no spouse, parent or child of the deceased, you may assert a claim if you are related by blood or marriage and were substantially dependent upon the deceased.
What Is the Time Deadline for a Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer to Bring a Case?
CJP 5-109 provides the general rule in Maryland. The statute of limitations deadline is the earlier of five years of committing, or three years of discovering, the injury. However, there are exceptions. A minor’s claim can be filed by the 21st birthday, even though the period for the parents’ claim is not extended. Also, for an action against the Veterans Administration, an administrative claim must be submitted within two years.
You can read more about Maryland cases on this topic on our Blog posts on the statute of limitations in Earl v. SSC, Grgac v. Dash, Janvier v. Greyhound, and Hitt v. Dimensions.
The deadline can be a complex issue. That is why you should call us for the advice of an experienced Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer to get the answer based on your specific case’s facts.
How Long Will the Court Process Take?
The time a medical malpractice case takes to complete varies based on different factors. One of the most unpredictable factors is the court’s schedule. For this reason, be prepared for a lawsuit to take 1 ½ to 2 years. Unfortunately, there is no way to shorten this process.
It is a myth that “the hospital and doctor will want to settle quickly.” In actuality, medical defendants usually defend claims aggressively. They look for any opportunity to poke a fatal hole in the plaintiff’s case. That often means thorough discovery and any applicable dispositive motions.
Although sometimes a case can be settled without filing a lawsuit, even in those instances, the hospital or doctor’s lawyers insist on first doing an internal investigation and review. Unfortunately, this process can sometimes go on for many months. In light of this, the plaintiff’s lawyer must make sure the hospital or doctor is not using this process for delay. It may be necessary to give them a deadline, after which the lawyer will file the lawsuit.
You can read more about each step of the litigation process of your Baltimore medical malpractice case.
Will I Have to Go to Trial?
Hospitals and doctors settle out of court in the large majority of cases. Suppose we determine that you have a viable medical malpractice case. In that instance, you will likely receive an out-of-court settlement offer. Settlement usually happens at the end of the court process.
An inexperienced lawyer may not position your case for an out-of-court settlement. If the hospital or doctor spots a weakness in your case, you may be in court for a trial.
Why Did This Bad Medical Outcome Happen?
Clients frequently ask this question. Unfortunately, the doctor often disappears when there is a bad medical outcome, leaving the patient with unanswered questions. When you call the Kopec Law Firm, lawyer Mark Kopec will use his legal and medical knowledge and 30+ years of legal experience to answer the questions your doctor should have answered. If medical malpractice appears to be involved, we will get the medical records to provide more information.
Are the Medical Records Important to Get?
Suppose the circumstances indicate that medical malpractice may have occurred. In that case, the next step is to get and review the medical records.
Some lawyers will tell you to request the medical records and call them back when you have them. Getting documents can be an expensive and time-consuming process. When you call the Kopec Law Firm, we will get the records for the investigation.
If you have already gotten the medical records, please let us know. Suppose you have had a lawyer look at your case, and the lawyer got medical records. In that instance, we can review them to give you a second opinion.
Where in Maryland Does the Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer File the Case?
Maryland Rule 6-201 provides that a plaintiff shall file an action in the county where the defendant resides or carries on regular business. Plaintiffs usually file medical malpractice cases where the doctor committed the malpractice. There can be exceptions. It is best to call us to consult with an experienced Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer to get an answer based on the facts of your specific situation.
The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and pursues cases with co-counsels throughout Maryland, D.C., and other states. We are ready to help you whether in the Baltimore area, Southern Maryland/D.C., the Eastern Shore, or Western Maryland.
Where Do You File My Baltimore City Medical Malpractice Case?
We start by filing your Baltimore City medical malpractice case in the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office (HCADRO). After we waive arbitration, we transfer your case to the circuit court, which is the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
The Circuit Court for Baltimore City is in two buildings across the street from each other. The Mitchell Courthouse is at 100 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, and the Courthouse East (AKA Cummings Courthouse) is at 111 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
The Courthouse hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. The Clerk’s Office for the Civil Division is in room 462 of Courthouse East. The Clerk’s Office receives the filings in your case.
Suppose your Baltimore City medical malpractice case goes to trial. In that case, a judge in one of the two courthouses will preside over the trial. You must also attend a pretrial conference in one of the courthouses. You can find the courtroom locations in the directory.
The Court’s website provides additional information that will be helpful to you during your case’s pendency. It includes the holidays on which the Court is closed, directions and parking information, closing/delay status, and the cell phone policy.
My Family Member Died. Are the Death Certificate and Autopsy Report Necessary?
When someone dies, we must prove that medical malpractice was the cause of death. In some situations, the cause of death is apparent, and the death certificate‘s finding is all that is needed. However, an autopsy may be necessary in cases where the cause of death is unclear. An autopsy can often reveal the cause of death in greater detail through examination.
As a result, if you are concerned that your family member may have died from medical malpractice, request an autopsy. Keep in mind that the medical examiner or hospital can decline the request.
What Will Happen to My Doctor if I Sue?
Doctors have insurance for when they commit malpractice, much like a car drivers have insurance for when they cause a car accident. In most medical malpractice cases, insurance covers the amount the plaintiff receives.
Nothing usually prevents the doctor from continuing to practice medicine. If you would like to file an administrative complaint concerning the doctor, see the administrative complaints links on the Additional Resources page.
¿Habla español?
Sí, cuando llame a Kopec Law Firm, simplemente diga que le gustaría hablar con un abogado en español. Le daremos una consulta gratuita con un abogado en español. ¡Qué tenga un lindo día!
Next Step: Call Your Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Visit the free consultation page or video. Then contact the Kopec Law Firm at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Mark Kopec. He is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and pursues cases throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C.